Michael Fay of New Zealand reached a compromise Friday...

July 30, 1988

Michael Fay of New Zealand reached a compromise Friday with Doug Alford, commodore of the San Diego Yacht Club, to begin the America`s Cup races Sept. 7, instead of the original proposed date of Sept. 19. The compromise represents the first time the challenge and defense teams have agreed on anything since Fay submitted his challenge for the Cup July 17, 1987. San Diego`s Sail America syndicate said the series is scheduled to be sailed Sept. 7, 9 and 11. Both sides still must work out other details, such as how many races there will be, the race course, sailing conditions and penalties for race infringements. A figurative sigh of relief was heard all the way in Bristol, Conn., where Craig Muckle, an ESPN spokesman, said, ``It worked out pretty well (for the cable network). It was their decision. We`re happy to be televising the event.`` And not conflicting with the Olympics.

- Diane Simpson of Evanston held her slim lead in the all-around competition but several competitors were within striking distance after Friday`s first round of the U.S. Olympic Rhythmic Gymnastics Trials in Salt Lake City. The top two finishers after Saturday`s competition will make the U.S. team. Simpson, who dropped her clubs on one routine and dropped briefly into a first-place tie in the all-around competition, fainted in the interview room, but regained consciousness about 15 seconds later and said, ``sorry about that.``

- Triple jumper Mike Conley says he has evidence that his final effort at last week`s U.S. Olympic track and field trials was measured inaccurately. Conley, a silver medalist in the 1984 Olympics from Chicago, contends he didn`t make the squad because his final triple jump wasn`t measured correctly. Conley said he jumped farther at the trials than former Indiana jumper Robert Cannon. Conley said his final jump should have been measured at 57 feet 11 1/2 inches and not the 57-7 3/4 he was given when a judge ruled Conley`s shorts scraped the sand. Conley said Los Angeles attorney David Grifinger has sent a letter to The Athletics Congress. A TAC spokesman said the organization had received the letter but that Conley originally protested the measurement and was turned down at the time of the competition in Indianapolis.

- Tax evasion charges leveled against the U.S. Gymnastics Federation will hurt the pride and performances of gymnasts who began competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, coach Bela Karolyi says. ``Everything that is going on is always reflected in an athlete`s performance. How in the world, if you say something about the integrity of the governing body, do they not lose their pride?`` he said. ``These kids, who have been sacrificing all their lives for this chance at the Olympics, now must worry about these labels, about these charges of cheating, lying and tax evasion.``

- Jim Darrah has been named athletic director at Illinois Tech. He will continue as baseball coach, a job he has held since 1979. Dennis Hull will remain with the school as a fund-raiser and will do public relations.

- Three former Florida basketball players said this week that they were given money by coaches, a possible violation of NCAA rules, according to a Florida newspaper. Andrew Moten, Anthony Williams and another player who requested anonymity said they were given cash by either associate head coach Monte Towe or assistant coach Kenny McCraney. ``Every now and then, they (the coaches) gave me money,`` Moten said. ``Not very much, but a little bit. Tens and twenties.``

- Kassa Branca won the $1.04-million Woodrow Wilson Pace in world-record time at the Meadowlands Racetrack, holding off a furious late bid by Nukes Image. Kassa Branca, driven by John Campbell, covered the mile in 1:52 3/5 to break the record set by Nihilator when he captured the Wilson Aug. 16, 1984.